(Portsmouth, NH) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) visited Portsmouth Naval Shipyard with Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. The visit was Secretary Phelan’s first to a public shipyard since his confirmation as Secretary of the Navy by the U.S. Senate. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a key economic driver in the region, supporting thousands of jobs integral to America’s national security.

“I was pleased to accompany Navy Secretary Phelan on his first visit to a public shipyard so that he could see the vital role that Portsmouth Naval Shipyard plays in advancing our country’s national security priorities and maintaining a strategic advantage over China,” said Senator Shaheen. “I look forward to working with the Secretary to protect the investments that ensure the shipyard’s workforce can continue to support our nuclear submarines and military readiness.”

“It was a great pleasure for us to welcome the new Secretary of the Navy to our nation’s oldest and best public shipyard. We talked about a wide range of issues that Senator Shaheen and I have worked on together, like exempting our public shipyards from the hiring freeze that has been applied to many agencies,” Senator Collins said. “Strengthening our Navy is critical to our national defense, and the work of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to maintain and update our nuclear submarines is an essential part of that goal.”

“The United States Navy and the State of Maine have worked together for generations to protect our nation and maintain the best built ships in the fleet for the fight; I was proud to accompany Navy Secretary Phelan during his first visit to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard,” said Senator King. “Our shared commitment to our national security relies on continued, sustainable investments in our workforce. Together we will continue to support our shipbuilders so we can maintain superiority on the world stage.”